Happy New Year to all the Woodstockers out there

This is not my usual story kind of blog. But since we are about to change years, and change evokes change and difference I thought I might give a go at a different kind of posting and share something a bit unusual with you all. This is a blog entry might be more attuned to the Woodstockers among my readers, but there is a certain universality to music, so no matter what your age, read on!

Carlos Santana was interviewed in the November 2014 AARP Bulletin, November 2014. At the end of the interview, Santana shared a playlist that he put together. He calls it his “masterpiece of joy.” And I thought, what better way to end 2014 and move toward 2015 than with a masterpiece of joy. Santana also calls the playlist his Playlist for Higher Consciousness because listening thoughtfully to the can make people more compassionate. He says that the lyrics in each of the songs are important, and to experience the proper flow, the songs should be listened to in the order below.

So, with thanks to AARP and to Carlos Santana, here’s the list:

1. What a Wonderful World

Louis Armstrong

2. What’s Going on

Marvin Gaye

3. One Love

Bob Marley

4. Imagine

John Lennon (Santana recommends Lennon’s version, but personally I like Herbie Hancock’s version on his album “the Imagine Project”)

5. Blowin’ in the Wind

Bob Dylan

6. A Change Is Gonna Come

Sam Cooke

7. No Woman, No Cry

Bob Marley

8. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

Aretha Franklin

9. Just Like a Woman

Roberta Flack

10. Amazing Grace

Lisbeth Scott (you really want to find this version)

11. Redemption Song

Bob Marley

12. Acknowledgement

Doug Carn

13. A Love Supreme

Alice Coltrane

Happy Listening!! Happy New Year – may it be one of peace, love, & compassion.